If you’re searching for a show-stopping treat that’s as dazzling as it is delicious, look no further than these Red Velvet Linzer Cookies. They combine buttery, cocoa-rich red velvet cookies with a sparkling dusting of powdered sugar and sweet, jewel-toned jam peeking through the center — a perfect bite of nostalgia with a modern twist. Their vibrant color and classic sandwich style make them life-of-the-party cookies for Valentine’s Day, the holidays, or any time you want to make someone smile.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It doesn’t take a mile-long shopping list to whip up a batch of Red Velvet Linzer Cookies. You’ll just need a handful of pantry staples and a few essentials for that signature color, tender crumb, and irresistible flavor. Here’s how each ingredient plays a special role in the most memorable cookie you’ll bake this season.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation for your dough, giving the cookies structure while staying tender.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds rich chocolate notes for that unmistakable red velvet flavor profile.
- Baking powder: Lifts the cookies just enough for a delicate, soft bite.
- Salt: A tiny pinch balances the sweetness and deepens the flavors.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Ensures richness, moisture, and perfect creaming for melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens each bite and creates just the right amount of crispness on the edges.
- Large egg: Binds the dough and adds a little extra richness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the cocoa and red velvet flavors with warmth and depth.
- Red food coloring (gel or liquid): Brings that brilliant, festive hue that makes red velvet so iconic.
- Seedless raspberry or strawberry jam: Their fruity brightness pops in the center of each cookie, adding sweet-tart contrast.
- Powdered sugar for dusting: The perfect snowy finish for beauty and added sweetness.
How to Make Red Velvet Linzer Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s perfectly hot and ready. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper so your cookies pop right off and stay beautifully whole.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This blends the cocoa into the flour and evenly distributes the leavening, giving every cookie a consistent, dreamy texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together with a mixer, beating until light and fluffy, which takes about 2–3 minutes. This aerates the dough, setting you up for tender cookies.
Step 4: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Food Coloring
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and that all-important red food coloring. The mixture should look luscious and vibrantly red. Use gel coloring for extra-bright cookies, but liquid works well too.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms. Don’t overwork it — stop once it’s just combined, so your Red Velvet Linzer Cookies stay tender and light.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half, shape each piece into a disc, and wrap them up. Pop them in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This quick chill makes the dough easier to roll and helps the cookies keep their shape when baked.
Step 7: Roll and Cut the Cookies
Take one disc out of the fridge at a time. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a round or scalloped cookie cutter for the base, and a smaller cutter to create a window in half the cookies for the tops. Get creative — hearts or stars add a sweet touch for special occasions!
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Arrange your cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just set. Let the cookies cool on the pan briefly, then gently transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Step 9: Assemble the Cookies
Once completely cool, spread a teaspoon of jam over the flat side of each solid cookie. Gently press a cutout cookie on top — you’ll see that beautiful jam peeking through the window. Just before serving, dust with a pretty sprinkle of powdered sugar.
How to Serve Red Velvet Linzer Cookies
Garnishes
A generous dusting of powdered sugar is a must, but you can also add a little cocoa powder or even edible glitter for a festive sparkle. For holidays, tiny sprinkles nestled in the window make these cookies extra cheerful.
Side Dishes
Red Velvet Linzer Cookies pair perfectly with a cup of coffee, tea, or a big glass of cold milk. For a dessert spread, try serving alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an elegantly simple finish.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high on a decorative platter, tuck a few into a clear bag tied with a ribbon for gifting, or layer them between sheets of wax paper in a pretty tin. For parties, arrange on a tiered tray with other colorful cookies for a stunning edible centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Red Velvet Linzer Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and tasty for up to five days, making them perfect for prepping ahead of any event or gathering.
Freezing
If you’d like to make a big batch for later, freeze the unassembled cookies (both the tops and bottoms) in an airtight container, separated by parchment. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. Thaw, fill, and dust when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
Red Velvet Linzer Cookies don’t require reheating, but if you love them a little warm, just pop a sandwich (minus the powdered sugar) in a 250°F (120°C) oven for about 2 minutes. Once cooled slightly, fill with jam and dust with sugar as usual.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While raspberry or strawberry jam are classic and offer that beautiful red color, you can experiment with apricot, cherry, or even blueberry for fun flavor twists and a gorgeous look.
Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?
Chilling the dough helps it firm up, which makes rolling and cutting much easier. It also helps your cookies keep clean edges and maintains that pretty window shape when they bake.
Do I have to use red food coloring?
No, but it’s the secret to that traditional red velvet look. If you prefer to skip it, you’ll still have delicious cocoa sandwich cookies — they just won’t sport the signature red hue.
Can I make Red Velvet Linzer Cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking mix for the all-purpose flour. Just check that your other ingredients are gluten-free, too, especially the jam and baking powder.
How do I get super clean cutouts for the cookie tops?
For the sharpest shapes, dip your small cutter in a little flour before each cut, and work with chilled dough. Wipe the cutter between cuts to avoid sticking, and you’ll get perfect windows every time.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like sharing a plate of homemade Red Velvet Linzer Cookies with family and friends. Their dazzingly rich color, fruity jam sparkle, and melt-in-your-mouth texture are pure cookie joy — and always worth the effort. Give this recipe a try and watch every bite disappear!
Print
Red Velvet Linzer Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus chill time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 20 sandwich cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Austrian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Red Velvet Linzer Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic Linzer cookie, perfect for any special occasion or holiday gathering. Rich red velvet cookies sandwiched together with sweet raspberry jam, dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted butter (softened), ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tbsp red food coloring (gel or liquid)
Additional:
½ cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam, powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill and roll out dough: Divide the dough, refrigerate, then roll out and cut into shapes.
- Bake: Place cookies on baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes.
- Assemble cookies: Spread jam on solid cookies, top with cutout cookies, and dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- For a festive touch, use heart-shaped or star cutters.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For a smoother finish, strain the jam before using if needed.
